The Action Society team faced another challenging week in the courts where numerous cases of sexual violence against women and children were postponed once again. We were however glad to see the murder case of Lekesha Marthinus back on the court roll.
VREDENDAL MAGISTRATES COURT
Carmen Gouws: Killed by an axe-wielding abuser
The Carmen Gouws murder case continued in October 2024. Carmen Gouws was brutally killed by her axe wielding abuser on her 21st birthday on 7 October 2023. Her alleged killer had a long history of abusing her. The matter was heard on 7 October 2024 and was postponed to 21 October 2024 for the accused to appoint a legal representative.
KHAYELITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Thimna Kuze: 13-year-old found dead in a shack
The murder case of Thimna Kuze continued in October of 2024. Thimna, a 13-year-old girl from Khayelitsha was murdered on 25 March 2023 and her family is still waiting for justice. The young girl slept over at a friend’s house, and was found dead a day later in a shack with blood in her nose, mouth and groin area. The murder trial commenced in August 2024 and continued last week on 14 October 2024, where it was postponed to 22 October 2024 for further trial.
Dahlia*: Raped by her stepfather
Action Society continued the fight for justice for Dahlia, a 19-year-old girl from Harare who was raped in May 2024. Her rapist, who is both her stepfather and a local pastor, was granted bail of only R1 500 on 24 June 2024. The matter was heard on 14 October 2024 and was postponed to 5 November 2024 for pre-trial.
PAROW REGIONAL COURT
Azalea*: Elderly woman assaulted
Action Society fully and unreservedly condemns acts of violence toward our country’s elderly. A house in Langa in Cape Town became another scene of terrible elder abuse, yet again at the hands of a close family member who tried to kill his grandmother. We received a mandate and will be defending her cause in the courts. The grandson was arrested on 12 July 2024 and appeared before the Bishop Lavis Magistrates Court. The matter was heard on 8 October 2024 and was postponed to 5 November 2024 for the outcome of consultation with his new legal representative. For now he remains in custody until the bail of R500 is paid.
MITCHELLS PLAIN MAGISTRATES COURT
Lekeasha Marthinus: Killed after a beer bottle was thrown at her head
Action Society is pleased that the murder case of Lekeasha Marthinus is back on the court roll after it was temporarily withdrawn due to an outstanding post mortem report. The post mortem report was obtained last week and the case was put back on the court roll for 25 October 2024 for a regional court date. She was killed by her boyfriend who fatally threw a beer bottle at her head. At the time of her murder, she was holding her then nine-month old baby.
MALMESBURY REGIONAL COURT
Malmesbury Molester: Action Society wants him removed from society
Action Society continues to push for a man accused of molesting three children in Malmesbury to be permanently removed from society. The case has been particularly frustrating as the accused has slipped through the cracks multiple times. He was first arrested in 2021 but was let go on a warning. In the meantime, two years on, the accused has bought himself time by changing lawyers on three different occasions. Action Society warns that he is a danger to all children and should be removed from society. The matter was heard in court on 11 October 2024 where it was postponed once again as the court was still waiting for the accused’s placement at the Valkenberg Psychiatric hospital.
BLUE DOWNS REGIONAL COURT
Janelle and two other women face abuser
Janelle Laattoe and two other women continued their uphill battle against a man who abused them during their relationships with him. The case was on the court roll for 18 October 2024 for a new date for the case to appear in a different court due to the current magistrate retiring. The case was provisionally set down for 29 October 2024.
*Pseudonyms are used to protect the identities of the victims
